MOURNING PROFESSOR JOEP LANGE

In his way to the World AIDS Conference in Melbourne, Professor Joep Lange and his wife died in the crash of flight MH17 over Ukraine.

The scientific community is mourning a renowned researcher, clinician and scientist, as well as an extraordinary human being involved as an activist in the fight against HIV and AIDS all around the world.

Sad day for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

"At this sad time for the HIV Community of Researchers we are mourning the loss of Professor Joep Lange who died with his wife and other 296 passengers in the crash of flight MH17 on July 17, 2014. Joep was not only a brilliant scientist involved in the fight against AIDS since the early 80s but also a friend. He was a co-founder of the "HIV Persistence Workshop" in 2003 and a regular speaker at the ISHEID.

I’ll keep of him the memory of a genius mind combined with modesty. My feelings go to the 5 daughters they left behind, his family and friends.

My deep condolences for all the people and scientists working in the HIV field that perished on the Malaysian flight MH 17. So sad to think how difficult it is to dedicate an entire life to science and how easy it is to have all this erased in a moment.